Vietnam Military History Museum
Museo de Historia Militar de Vietnam
Vietnam Military History Museum (28A Điện Biên Phủ, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hanoi) – this museum recalls the country’s two major armed conflicts in the 20th century: the civil war that led to an end of Vietnam’s French colonization, and the American war against the former North Vietnamese Communist government. It was set up in 1956, just two years after the French were defeated in dramatic fashion at Dien Bien Phu. And it has all the hallmarks of a 1950s museum designed by a bureaucratic committee of a cash-strapped government. It has none of the provocative flare of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.
Much of this museum is focused on the First Indochinese War, glorifying the brilliance of leaders such as General Giap and the sacrifices of Vietnamese patriots in driving the French out of Vietnam. One or two exhibit walls focus on the war against the Japanese towards the end of World War II. Artifacts are displayed inside sliding-door glass cabinets. A newer building focuses on the war against the Americans (“the American War”, as it’s known there). There’s a tank, a jeep, a life-size jungle diorama, and various random artifacts.
Still, it’s outside where the two highlights of the museum are. First, there’s the large stone tower – a Flag Tower – that stands tall over the surrounding countryside, and currently serves as a giant nationalist flagpole (showing a Vietnamese flag). At the tower’s base is a courtyard of large-scale war souvenirs–tanks and planes and helicopters–captured from the Americans. There’s also the wreckage of a B-52 bomber– that symbol of American military superiority –standing on its nose, surrounded by the crumpled wreckage of other planes like an F-111 fighter-bomber.
Admission: 20,000 VND (local adult), 10,000 VND (local seniors, students & children under 16 years), free for local children under 6 years old; 40,000 VND (international visitors). An additional 30,000 VND to take pictures. Hours: 8:00 am – 11:30 am; 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm (daily except Monday and Friday).